Six reasons to leave the car at home

Ditching the car and choosing slow travel is the perfect way to help you really discover the Isle of Wight. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly, stress-free holiday to the Isle of Wight this year, here are six awesome reasons to leave the car at home and enjoy some of the unique qualities our Island has to offer.

1. Travel along the Island Line

After a £26 million transformation, the old 1938 tube trains, which had served the Island since 1989, have eased into a well-earned retirement. 

The trains have now been replaced with the new Class 484 fleet, which have transformed the customer experience, with upgraded interiors, plug sockets, wheelchair spaces and free WiFi. In keeping with Island Line’s tradition, these trains are former London Underground trains. 

The line operates between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin, serving Smallbrook Junction, Brading, Sandown and Lake stations along the way.

Our Island Line may only be approximately eight miles long, but it still manages to clock up more than 175,000 miles every year.

2. Our Hovercraft is the only commercially-run passenger vessel of its type in the world

Thanks to Sir Christopher Cockerell’s experiment with two tins and a hairdryer in the 1950s, the Isle of Wight is now home to the only Hovercraft service of its kind in the world. Fancy a trip? This amphibious craft can transport almost 80 foot passengers at a time and takes less than 10 minutes to cross the Solent from Southsea to Ryde.

3. Lonely Planet named the Isle of wight as its top cycling destination in the world... and it's clear to see why

There are countless cycle routes on the Isle of Wight and you’re sure to find a suitable route - whether your children are taking their first bike for a spin or you’re searching for an adrenalin-filled challenge. 

4. We have award-winning bus routes

In 2018, Bus Users UK announced that its survey respondents ranked the Isle of Wight’s Needles Breezer the fourth most scenic bus route in the country. Not only that, but the Island Coaster came in at ninth place. Both these routes are available during the warmer months, so sit back, make yourself comfortable on the top deck and enjoy our stunning coastal scenery.

Our double decker buses stop at all major attractions, including The Needles, Monkey Haven, and Osborne.

5. We host one of the UK's longest running walking festivals

Every Spring and Autumn, the Island celebrates its ever-popular Walking Festival. Whether you enjoy a light stroll, are looking for your next heart-racing challenge or simply after a new destination to discover, take inspiration from the locals’ sharing their favourite routes.  

6. You can get around the Island by e-bike and scooter

If you don’t fancy walking or want to see the beauty of the Island up close, you can travel around by e-bike or scooter. Available to hire in Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Shanklin and Sandown, you can cover six miles in only 30 minutes – approximately the distance between Newport to Cowes. Download the Beryl app and follow the instructions to hire one out.